2012 Ford Focus Electric - 2012 Detroit Auto Show

Ford turns over a new Leaf with electrified Focus.

Introduced a month before the North American International Auto Show is Ford's 2012 Focus Electric. We've known it was destined for production for over a year, but now the details are out. Built on the same assembly line as the gasoline-powered Focus and forthcoming Focus ST at the Michigan Assembly Plant just minutes away from the headquarters in Dearborn, the battery electric Focus is in final stages of production development. It will be on sale early in 2012 in select markets, of which California and New York are surely first. The big news is that the BEV Focus will rival Nissan's Leaf with greater than 100 mpg equivalency, and is said to reach a full charge in half the time of a Leaf, which means less than four hours.

2012 Ford Focus Electric

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Better Electric Performance

We knew that BEVs would get better, just not how quickly. The Leaf is a wholly acceptable 5-passenger hatch capable of 90 mph and hitting 60 mph in under 10 seconds. Its only downside is a 100-mile range and the 8 hours needed for a full charge on a 240V outlet.. The Focus Electric takes the Leaf concept to the next level by offering a nearly identical level of functionality, yet newer technology.

2012 Ford Focus Electric

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Still a Focus

Although newer the 3672-lb. Focus is slightly heavier than the Leaf (by about 250 lb.), they carry around the same amount of battery juice (23kWh for the Focus, and 24kWh for the Leaf). The Focus battery is more advanced and manages its temperature with liquid, while the Leaf is simply air-cooled. We expect the Focus Electric to be considerably quicker than the Leaf, as preliminary numbers have it making 143 hp compared to the 107 hp of the Leaf. Torque is reversed at 184 lb.-ft. for the Focus and 207 lb.-ft. for the Leaf. Both cars use a single-speed transmission and both are front-wheel drive. Ford has a slightly lower top speed for its BEV Focus at 84 mph, but that's still plenty to keep up with traffic.

2012 Ford Focus Electric

A Focus is a Focus

Ford's made a point of building all Foci on the same assembly line. They are built with just in time manufacturing, which means that each one coming down the line is built to order. Instead of a fuel tank, a battery pack is installed instead with bright orange power lines running down the center tunnel rather than exhaust piping. Rather than an engine mounted up front, it's an electric motor. An amazing number of parts are shared between the electric and gasoline-powered Foci. It's said that the electric models are slightly simpler to build with fewer parts. An interesting fact is that the Focus has three batteries. Two make up the main li-ion pack: one mounted under the car, and one that's mounted directly above, inside the rear hatch area behind the seats A conventional 12V lead-acid car battery is used to control the onboard electronics.

2012 Ford Focus Electric

The price of the BEV Focus will be nearly identical to the Leaf, at $40,000 without taking into consideration the $7500 federal tax credit.

Where You Can Get One

Before 2012 is over, the Focus Electric will be on sale in the following markets: Atlanta; Austin and Houston, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Denver; Detroit; Los Angeles; San Francisco; San Diego; New York; Orlando, Fla.; Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Portland, Ore.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; Seattle; and Washington, D.C.